Adding an aux socket to radio

I have been reading old threads on connecting an iPod to a radio via an fm transmitter. But as the radio fades out on the move, I am not sure if this would be the way to go. I would like to try and add an aux socket to the radio just to see if it works. Has anybody done this? Otherwise down to Halfords to buy another radio, or just try the fm transmitter, not sure if I would replace the existing radioone, but add the new one as an extra. So if anyone has a view on this, can they let me know

I'm no expert when it comes to ICE but I think the fm transmitter is a low power one that transmits as far as the radio from the 12v socket it plugs in to, therefore not likely to come and go like a real radio station. The one I bought for an SD card was very cheap from a well known web based auction site so that would be my first thing to try.

I added an fm modulator to the radio that provided an aux socket to connect up my music. Good quality sound and no interference.
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To be honest, the cost of stereo systems is so cheap now, it's easier to simply buy a unit that will do what you need.

You can pick up ones in Aldi that are very good units for around £20 and have bluetooth and USB links etc.

Or these on Amazon:
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A bit more and you can get nice Sony units:
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They have ipod connectivity and can take phone calls etc. Much nicer than those FM transmitters, which can be a right pain in towns where signals interfere with your music.

Thank you all for your replies. The fm transmitter suggested is so cheap it is worth a try. Can I ask Noggin who seems to have the same van as me, did the radios you suggested easy to fit where the existing radio is? are all radios a standard size?

Redwink wrote:Can I ask Noggin who seems to have the same van as me, did the radios you suggested easy to fit where the existing radio is? are all radios a standard size?

All stereo's come in standard size usually referred to as DIN (it's a German originated standard size, think it's 2x8), so any single DIN sized stereo will slot straight in. Just pull out your existing one (may need to slot two removal keys down the side, depends on the stereo but you quite often get the 'keys' with a new stereo) and replace with new one. A decent brand will have standard connectors so it's relatively plug and play, but the cheaper ones often come with just the wires that you have to either wire in manually to your existing harness or buy an adapter to wire into. it's not really that hard though, but I'd probably just spend a few extra pennies and get one that is universal fitment.

I converted my Nuevo to take a double DIN Sony stereo that I had from a previous car that has a built in reversing camera screen, but unless you're feeling particularly handy I wouldn't go down that route as it involved cutting out the clipboard area and moulding a double DIN case in it's place.

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Loads of single DIN to choose from on Amazon, Ebay etc or simply pop to Halfords and pick one in your price range. Since having a bluetooth unit I wouldn't go back as I listen to a lot of podcasts, music etc all off my phone now.

Noggin, thank you for the info and the link to the mods thread

Its worth getting DAB if you buy a new one. Coverage is improving all the time and you have much wider choices of channels - 'Planet Rock'  being one of my favourites!

Decided to go the radio route, spent a lot of time in Halfords plugging my iPod into all the radios, just need to decide which one as they all seem to fit the van

matchlessman wrote:Its worth getting DAB if you buy a new one. Coverage is improving all the time and you have much wider choices of channels - 'Planet Rock'  being one of my favourites!

I agree that the DAB coverage is now very good across the country (and indeed in Europe) - but should you go down the DAB route don't forget that the aerial might be a governing factor. 
When we had our DAB unit fitted we had a DAB aerial fixed to the windscreen and the reception was very hit and miss and sometimes nothing at all - it drove me mad!
After a lot of discussion and testing with our audio specialist it was concluded that the MH bodywork (and ours is just low line) and the windscreen grid system was causing the problem and the only solution was to mount a "shark fin" aerial on the roof. 
We decided to replace the existing roof mounted "whip" with the DAB shark fin aerial, however it was a major exercise in cupboard and fittings removal within the MH in order to follow the previous line of factory fitted aerial wiring. 
So we decided to use the specialists at AS, bought the appropriate aerial and got Mark and the team at Willersey to fit it - it took half a day but they did a very good job! 
The results are that we now have a DAB radio that works 100% of the time and provides a far better reception than the previous FM unit.
Cheers,
Liam

Also useful to have a remote control so you can change channel / volume from bed!!

matchlessman wrote:Its worth getting DAB if you buy a new one. Coverage is improving all the time and you have much wider choices of channels - 'Planet Rock'  being one of my favourites!

You're the same as me machlessman Planet Rock every time. 

John.

Again thank you all for your input. In the end I went to Halfords and bought a Kenwood radio with aux, iPod, and CD player. It was reduced from £69 to £59, just needed an Ariel adapter plug. It was also steering wheel ready, but do not have this on the van. I also got them to fit it while I went off for a coffee. They even tuned it in for me, he also said the sub woofer (whatever that is) was wired opposite to the speakers to the radio Apparently, this is the second one he has found. Not that I have to worry, I just turn the radio on and off, and don't fiddle.

These sub woofers? are in the dashboard somewhere, no such luck to have speakers in the habitation area.

I suspect what he meant is that the lower frequency speakers (often referred to as woofers) were connected round the wrong way (i.e. reverse polarity) compared to the high frequency speakers. In a van it's probably not much of an issue, but in a real "hi-fi" setup it can have strange-sounding side effects.

A sub-woofer is generally a large, separate speaker, dedicated to bass output. I doubt you have one of those without knowing what it is!